Where have I been? Well, I just took a delightful (and much-needed) vacation. First stop: Debbie Macomber’s FABULOUS home in Florida! WOW! Even though Deb has a cast on one foot, due to a recent surgery, she was a dynamo, as usual. I swear, the woman is the Energizer Bunny, disguised as a famous writer. During my short visit–I would have had an extra day with my pal, but the original flight was cancelled–Debbie did everything possible to make sure Sally, my sister and travel buddy, had an unforgetable time!

First, Debbie and Wayne’s cook and housekeeper, Theresa, had a fantastic Mexican lunch prepared when we arrived. We dined in splendor, let me tell you–Chez Macomber is not just a nice house, it’s a freakin’ mansion, with wonderful views of the water and all the sunshine a weary SAD sufferer like moi could ask for. Mutual friends Bill Francis and Renae Kinsey joined us for a remarkable dinner one evening, prepared by a very talented chef, no less, and we all had a marvelous time catching up and talking shop. I met Debbie and Wayne’s good friend, Rhett, who interviewed me for his show on iHeart Radio–details to follow, and was introduced to Gary and Marsha Roche as well. We all went out for a lovely dinner. Gary is an expert on the Civil War, specializing in Gettysburg, so I had plenty of questions for him, as you can imagine. I’ll be heading for Gettysburg sometime in May, for a tour with Gary and also with a local reader/friend, Sandy Pennesse. Sally, Debbie and I did some shopping, of course–Deb was in a wheelchair but it barely slowed her down.

One of the best things about being at Debbie’s winter home was just being with her. She knitted, I read, and we were perfectly happy to spend quiet time in each other’s presence.

On Sunday, the 22nd, Sally and I moved on to Fort Lauderdale, where we boarded the Nieuw Amsterdam and cruised for a week, hitting Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas. I fulfilled a life long dream on Grand Turk, joining an excursion on horseback. Our group rode along a beautiful almost-white beach and finished up wiith a swim in the unbelievably beautiful turquoise water–still on our horses. I loved every minute of that! (And the horses were happy to hit the water, too, since it was so hot.)

We shopped, had acupuncture, and sat on our small verandah a lot. What an experience! I even sunbathed a little–in an actual bathing suit–and also had a pedicure. Believe me, the Spokane weather was a shock after Florida and the Caribbean, but I’m oh so glad to be home with Bernice, Jitterbug, the horses and, oh, yeah, my two-legged family, too.

Check in tomorrow for this week’s prize winners. The new contest is underway as of right now–comment, and you’re entered.

Linda, Your vacation sounds absolutely wonderful. So happy that you were able to take the much needed time away. I think I can probably speak for all your fans -We are happy to have you back. Congrats in advance to the new winners. I’d be tickled pink if I saw my name as one of the winners. I’m sure we all feel that way, who doesn’t like surprises and gifts LOL. have a great week and so looking forward to the next new book.
P.S.
My first children’s book “should” be completed at the publishers next month. Hooray !!! I’m excited, almost beyond words.

What a fabulous vacation!!! I live in San Antonio Texas, our winters are nothing compared to what you and everyone up north have, but this Texas Girl has had enough!!!
Thanks for letting me enjoy a bit of sunshine through you.

Just got back a week ago from a cruise to the Caribbean. I count myself lucky to be able to vacation when I chose, which was not the case when I was teaching. Glad you enjoyed your time away. A little re-charge is good for the soul.

What a great vacation!! I can hear it in your blog how much fun you had. Debbie Macomber seems like such a sweet person, and I know she is a great author, so I can see why you guys are such friends. Those Turquoise waters, that you talked about at the island are just beautiful, I was amazed the first time I saw it.

Linda, I’m so excited for you – what a great vacation! I’ve been to Fort Lauderdale and on a Caribbean cruise in the 80s and remember every single moment of it (I think, anyway). Although we’ve had good weather here in Washington, I’d trade that for your vacation any day! I’m so happy and really pray that you are rested, rejuvenated, refreshed, recharged, and ready to write! LOL!

What a great get away! Don’t know how often you vacation, Linda, but it sounds like you could use at least two a year. Love reading about your days whether it’s in the tropics of Florida and the Caribbean or at home on the ranch. You are really a busy lady.

I hope you spend at least 3 days if not more exploring Gettysburg. You can and should make it a must to go horseback riding on the battlefields. There is so much to see in town and out about. Also, Harrisburg, Pa. has a great museum on the Civil War. It was build around 2001. My late husband was a Civil War buff and we went there in 2002. I hope you enjoy Pennsylvania. There is so much to see and do here.
I enjoy your books and patiently waiting for the next book to come out.

I was so glad to here that you are such good friends with my only other favorite author!! I have been reading both of your books for years! I was also so glad to hear that you had such an awesome vacation. My husband of 40 years and myself took a cruise a few years back to Key West and the Bahamas. It was the best vacation we ever took!! Keep writing those wonderful books and I will definitely keep buying them!!!

Glad to hear the cruise was wonderful!! So good to have met your sister who I think takes quiet delight in hearing you speak!!! You’re simply beautiful and amazing!!! I’ve joined WW because of you, and I’m plugging away!!!!

The horseback riding and bathing suit moments you have hard-earned so it’s good to hear you stepped proudly out of your comfort zone – I am glad the weather was warm- Riding a horse on the beach is on my bucket list !! The last time I rode a horse he backed me into the trees so since we would be in the ocean, I’m not so scared!!! LOL

It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I would love a get away like that. I need to get away from all this cold and snow. We have another winter storm on the way tomorrow. I am so ready for spring. It is in the 50’s today and raining but a cold from in coming through and we are going to get a lot more snow and ice tomorrow.

Welcome back, and thanks for letting us tag along vicariously, I need a little Carribean time, anyway I can get it. Through you I am getting to love Debbie M too. she is a good writer, and has a way of pulling you into her story.

So glad you had such a wonderful time! My BFF is my travel buddy! I understand the shock of coming back to the cold weather. I was in Tucson, AZ for 3 months & came back to Northern Indiana. Day before I left it was 81. Came back to the 30’s. The next day it snowed 16″ and was sub zero temps for a month!

Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation. Any where without snow would be wonderful! You can always use a quite time with friends. I glad for you an your family. Debbie sounds like alot of fun. She tells good stories too.
Love yours and waiting for a new book to come out.
Have a great day.
Jo-Ann

Sounds like you had a great vacation. Of course, all your books send your readers on wonderful vacations, and we don’t even have to leave our comfortable chair. We journey back in time and your writing makes us feel we are actually there, whether we visit over 100 years ago or now, in present time. We rejoice in their good times (and feel for their sorrow), but all in all, they are great vacations, so thank you again for the joy your books bring to us all.

Okay, I confess. I was really upset with Bex and Hadleigh. They should have kept their mouths shut and let him tell her. With friends like that . . .
Marriage Charm is a great book. (P.S. I am also a writer and I don’t always approve of what my own characters do. )

Hearing of your vacation after our weather in Ohio is rather daunting, but I am glad you enjoyed yourself…I am awaiting two eye surgeries or I would also be in Florida….Thank God I will be able to have my vision restored to near normal..

sounds like a marvelous time. It’s snowing again here in NJ with more expected on Thursday – sigh! Really ready for Spring! Visiting the Gettysburg battlefield and museum is an incredible experience – really touched my heart thinking about what happened there.

Your vacation sounds like one from an amazing sweepstakes, only better cause you were with a great friend. My friend from
Florida came to visit me! At least the weather wasn’t too bad.
Glad you are back all refreshed. I’ve been on a cruise in that
area and it’s so beautiful, it almost feels unreal. I’m getting
anxious about your Civil War plans. Now don’t get sick again!
Bundle up.

What a wonderful vacation! We in southern KY just got rid of a foot of snow that arrived during your vacation. So glad you had time with good friends. I’m looking forward to your Civil War novel – good to have an expert during your travels.

I knew it! Thanks Linda! You won a bet for me (that you were headed for our neck of the woods – well, of the US anyway) and I got a fabulous non-Weight Watchers doughnut! Ah, the sweet spoils of victory!
Glad you’re back! You were missed!

Sounds like you had a great vacation with Debbie and then for your cruise. My husband and I went on the Nieuw Amsterdam ship in December 2013 for that same trip and had a wonderful time. Can’t beat the gorgeous turquoise water of the Caribbean! I’ll bet Spokane was a whole different ballgame when you returned.

I am so glad you had a lovely vacation – much deserved. I understand completely about the sunny weather – I live in the Midwest and just visited my daughter in Tampa – it was heaven on earth to see sunshine.